Sun shade for front deck

[Ken Kindrick]

I want to make or buy a sunshade to cover the front deck forward of my dodger. I want to be able to take it off quickly, and fold it up to store in a small area. Any advantages or disadvantages of sumbrella material vs. the cheap plastic tarp material in ease of use or effeciency (other than cost)? I wonder if a silver reflective underside would help? Thanks, Ken Kindrick

 

[Paul Aubrecht]

I saw a shade in Cruising world.....

That i thought was cool.It mounts on the front lifelines.From the life lines it has,I think,fiberglass or flexible plastic rods that run through the fabric.It makes kind of a tunnel of a shade so you can walk under it when it is on deck.It says it only takes 5 minutes to put up or take down.If I could find some long battens or something for the support structure and figure out how to attach to the lifelines,I would make my own.See an issue of Cruising world in the AD section.

 

[Michael]

Hunter Owner's Chandlery

There is a foredeck sunshade listed in the chandlery on this site.

 

[Rob McClain]

Great Covers

I had a ShadeTree cockpit cover on a 23' Santana that I owned, the same type of cover that is sold by the Hunter Owners Chandlery. They are very well made, easy to rig, and I highly recommend them. I even kept the cover when I sold the boat. Rob

 

[John K Kudera]

For shade only

All you will need is a piece of rip stop nylon, in a color to complement the boat, fastened with a line in the center, tied to the mast, and bungie cords to fasten to the life lines. Should be easy to custom make it for a small cost.